The day's events start early with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall,
a craft tent, a pet show, parade, chicken barbecue, food & vendor booths, dunk tank(tba), games for kids, bouncy houses,
horseshoe tournament, musical entertainment, and end with a grand fireworks finale. Many activities are behind the business
block. Join your friends, neighbors, and visitors to Maine, and have a glorious Independence Day in Thomaston, Maine!

Schedule of Events - 2017 schedule (work in
progress!)

7:00 AM

Pancake
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served in the Masonic Temple located on Main Street
in Thomaston.

7:00 AM

Kids
One Mile Fun Race & 5K Firecracker Race Sign Up
Sign up for the races will be on Beechwood
Street by Route One.
7:00 - 8:00 am.
In front of the former Water Dog Tavern
Free entry for kids under age 12 and tee-shirt prizes.
5K Firecracker Race entry fees
Pre-register online @www.runinarace.com/Firecracker/index.html

Thank you to
our sponsors and to the
hard working volunteers who get up so early every 4th of July!

Parade
Staging
Staging area for the parade will be located on Dwight Street by the town cemetery in
Thomaston. The theme is "Its a Pet-riotic 4th!".
For a parade
application, email parade@thomaston4thofjuly.com
OR
Download Parade application and line-up map.

9:15 AM

Pet
ShowVolunteers run the Pet Show! Bring all of your pets.
Pet Show will be located behind the Thomaston Business Block, in front
of
Lura Libby School. Loyal Biscuit sponsors the show prizes -
special treat/goodie bags for pets. Thank you to all!

11:00 AM

4th
of July Parade
Staging area for the parade will be by the town cemetery in Thomaston.
Gather at 8:30am...for a parade application, email parade@thomaston4thofjuly.com.
OR
Download Parade application and line-up map.

The parade will stage by the cemetery, head
out Erin St. where it will enter Main Street and move South through
town center. It will disband on Booker St. Thank you to
the organizers of the parade, who are all volunteers. We appreciate
your hard work!

12:00 PM

After
the Parade - Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony with local elected dignitaries,
singing of the national anthem, introduction of marshals and Mr. and
Ms. 4th of July, announcement of parade prize winners.

12:00 PM

Booths
Open
All booths open - large variety of food, face painting, souvenirs. All proceeds from purchases made at 4th of July Committee
booth benefit next year's festivities.

12:00 PM

Chicken
Barbecue
Chicken Barbecue will be located behind the business block until
sold out. This barbecue is put on by volunteers. All proceeds support
4th of July festivities. Thank you to our volunteers!

12:00 PM

Bouncy
Houses
Two bouncy houses, Free for children. Fun
for all from after the parade, until 8 PM. All donations go to the 4th of July festivities.

Horseshoe Tournament will be behind the business
block on Lura Libby School field. All donations support the 4th of
July. Prizes provided by the estate of Cod Adams, long-time beloved
director of our annual
horseshoe tournament.

5:00 PM

T.B.D.

9:15 PM

Fireworks
In the event of rain or fog, the fireworks will be rescheduled to July
5th.
Thank you to all the volunteers who spend their afternoon setting up
the gorgeous fireworks display!

The Thomaston 4th of July Committee seeks volunteers to help with many jobs. Join the committee in creating a great 4th
of July for your friends and neighbors in the community and state. Visitors come from all over Maine to share the experience
of a small town celebration. Join in the fun of being an ambassador for the town and the state.

From helping to build the booths a few days before the event, collecting donations before the fireworks, helping with kids
games, or trash pick-up duty, we have just the job for you. Give two hours of your time and gain a lifetime memory of helping
to make a great celebration and working together for the fun of all!

Note: Thomaston's tradition has been, when the holiday falls on a Sunday, to hold the celebration on the Saturday,(July 3rd).
This allows for local church services. This will not occur again until 2021! In 1779, the holiday fell on a Sunday and was
celebrated on Monday July 5th. John Adams wrote to Abigail that the Declaration was signed on July 2nd and that the date
would be celebrated through "succeeding generations".